Sad truth about voter ID

Study confirms notion that push for tougher ID laws was a push to disenfranchise voters.

Copyright 2014: Houston Chronicle

Updated 6:50 pm, Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Photo: RON T. ENNIS, MBI

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Students arrive at W.P. McClean 6th Grade Center in Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday, Nov.5, 2013. Texas voters are casting ballots on several statewide proposals, including a $2 billion water plan, but not before they were legally required to show a photo ID at the polls for the first time. (AP Photo/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ron T. Ennis) MAGS OUT; (FORT WORTH WEEKLY, 360 WEST); INTERNET OUT

Students arrive at W.P. McClean 6th Grade Center in Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday, Nov.5, 2013. Texas voters are casting ballots on several statewide proposals, including a $2 billion water plan, but not before

In the clamor from the far right in recent years about rampant voter fraud, it's easy to ignore the fact that voting in Texas and across the country has long been based on the notion that voter laws must encourage participation, not discourage. It's a core requirement for a self-governing society.

Now comes a study from researchers at the University of Massachusetts confirming what was pretty obvious already: The push for tougher ID laws, including the controversial photo ID law that Texas lawmakers passed in 2011, is part of a nationwide strategy on the part of the Republican Party to discourage minority and low-income voting. Never mind that voter impersonation is almost nonexistent.

Political scientist Erin O'Brien and sociologist Keith Bentele, both professors at the University of Massachusetts at Boston concluded that photo identification and other restrictive proposals were more likely to be introduced in states with larger African-American and non-citizen populations and higher minority turnout; that restrictive laws were passed more frequently in states where the proportion of Republicans in the legislature went up or a Republican governor was elected; that increased competitiveness in the state's previous presidential election was associated with more restrictive policy changes in states with larger GOP majorities; and states where minority turnout has increased since the previous presidential election were more likely to pass restrictive legislation.

Texas got though last fall's election with relatively few ID problems, although the 2014 election system is likely to be more of a test. With early primary voting only weeks away, Texans need to be ready with the appropriate ID, even as they make sure that they're not intimidated by those who would prefer they stay at home.